What Could Canes Do With Bo Horvat?
By Chris Baker
Trade season is approaching, and the Carolina Hurricanes have been linked with Bo Horvat of the Vancouver Canucks. Talk of this has been mulling, brewing, and in some circles roaring since the start of the season.
As the Hurricanes consistently take turns on the hot wagon, the recent defensive scoring bonanza in Columbus is an example, many Canes fans are wondering why in the world General Manager Don Waddell would be interested in breaking up the band.
Also, it is worth a look at what a move on Horvat would look like in the cost to Carolina. Any trade is going to sting Hurricanes fans.
Plus, unless the Canes trade a Center, it’s adding another Center would cause some shifts on the lines. It is likely Horvat would be a 2nd or maybe 3rd line Center.
That would create a host of possible shifts. But who goes and who moves?
First on the list of possible Canes joining former teammate Ethan Bear in Vancouver is Seth Jarvis. Jarvis has had spurts of good play in his second season with the Hurricanes. His game against Columbus not withstanding, there are lots of zeros on the winger’s score sheet.
But, for the sake of argument how do they stack up?
Here is a side by side of their seasons so far.
Bo Horvat: 43 GP 30 G 18 A 48 P +5 11 PPG 16 PPP 2 SHG 2 SHP 129 S
Seth Jarvis 44 GP 7 G 15 A 22 P +6 0 PPG 3 PPP 0 SHG 0 SHP 100 S
Horvat would certainly help on the powerplay. Everyone continues to harp on ad nauseam (look we get it, it’s not good. Move on). But one of the big differences I see is Horvat’s “Shoot first, ask questions later” mentality that Jarvis seems to have lost.
Since breaking into the league during the 2014-15 season, Horvat has never taken fewer than 130 shots except twice. Putting the puck on goal does lead to more scoring opportunities.
Jarvis has been used primarily as a passer, granted, but you would hope he would have honed a better trigger finger by now.
Another name that gets passed around as a potential trade fodder is Stefan Noesen. It is likely Noesen would be a pot sweetener, and could be sent North with any of a number of players bundled into the trade.
Healthy scratching more often than not, he has not had the opportunity to stack up numbers like Jarvis. In 41 games, Stefan Noesen has racked up 21 points BUT has scored 6 goals on the power play.
Finally there is Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Again, a side by side
Bo Hovat: 43 GP 30 G 18 A 48 P +5 11 PPG 16 PPP 2 SHG 2 SHP 129 S
Jesperi Kotkaniemi 44 GP 7 G 9 A 16 P +3 2 PPG 5 PPP 1 SHG 1 SHP 66 S
Kotkaniemi’s season has been one of learning and growing. Much has been discussed of his sophomore slump, and him working on displacing his pass mentality. It is within the realm of possibility KK, Noesen and perhaps a Paul Stastny go in leu of a bigger name from Carolina’s roster.
His numbers are certainly not high enough not to warrant a few extra goodies in the bag bound for the Canucks.
What a move on Bo Horvat looks like is up in the air, and if a move is even made is more uncertain.
Little doubt remains just how good the Carolina Hurricanes are this year. As we have seen, and said, anyone on any night can jump into the ring and take their turn for a big night.
Pulling a Seth Jarvis, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Stefan Noesen or even Paul Statsny will not hurt Carolina’s overall ability to have players take the reins. It will however leave the ability of up to three players to do so, solely on the shoulders of Bo Horvat.
His numbers stack up, and maybe Don Waddell can get the salary cap to fit. Or maybe, nothing happens and the Canes keep everyone in place.
We will not know for sure, but it sure is fun to discuss.